The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1887-12-03
ROMANCE IN HISTORY.


plan that which comes to pass is illus
trnted in the history of nations a. clear
lly as in the lives of individuals. There
is certain force, call it what You will
which unqaestionably influences the
general course of things, regardless of
the calculations OF mea and the condi-
tions of everyday logic and experience
We usually name it romance, for want
of a better term, when speaking Of its
surprising and important effects; and
surely there could be nothing more ro-
mantle than some of the unexpected
events which have contributed to our
national growth and welfare. A strik-
ing case in point, as suggested by a re-
cent historical writer, is that of the
Louisiana Purchase" 1t Is probably
true, as this argues, that the statesmen
following the period of tie revolution
did not desire or foresee any subse-
quent enlargement of the area Of the
country. There is nothing in the re-
cord of the proceedings Of any Of the
political bodiss Of that time to show
that such a thought was entertained;
and there is manifest significance in
the fact that no specific power to annex
territory was put into the Constitution.
1t w;.s with view only 10 securing
the island upon which New Orleans
was situated that Jefferson took the
first step in tie process which finally
resulted in the acquisition of ell the
great empire then known as Louisiana;
and singularly enough, his object was
not to enlarge the national domain,
but to guard against war with France
or Spain by reason Of the possible
movements for the capture of that
place by American citizens living in
the then Western States. Mr.. Living
ston, the Minister to France, was in
s.ructed accordingly. Franee was then
upon the eve of war with England,
and the latter had twenty-five naval
vessels at the time in the Gulf of Mex
leo, Bonaparte was quick to sec that
with such a force the English could
easily seize the French possessions west
of the Mississippi; he was aware, too,
that if said possessions should be trans
ferred to the United States, England
would be directly harmed; and besides,
he was sorely in need of money, There
fore, Mr.. Livingston was told that not
merely the island he wanted, but the
whole territory Of Louisiana, could be
bought by his Government. The
price proposed was 100, 600, coo francs;
Livingston offered $4,000, 900, and f.
Inally they split the difference and
made it 75,00O, 900 francs, or SIS, ,000,-
600. Jefferson was amazed when the
treaty reached him. He had sought
an island, he exclaimed, and a couti-
nent had fallen into his hands. The
Constitution rave him no authority To
make such purchase, bui he ssi s.
would ashut up The Constit'lt ~, TEN
/, garari gnd take the ,sf5operiy. lie
|was severely attacked for binding the
IIGeyernment to pay a sam of money
(which it was declared would bankrupt
she nation, but his action was ratified,
nevertheless; and thus, by force Of
Ieauses that were not so much as dream
Ikd Of in the beginning Of the under
Taking, our country secured the best
Bargain in real estate that has ever
4becn negotiated. The story is ro-
nance indeed; and the same is to be
kEd in more senses than one of the
history of the settlement and develop
hent Of the vast region which Bona
soarte sold SO far below its actual value.
E--S.. Louis Globe Democrat.